Significance of the Cross- Pt 3

Here is Pt 3 of “The Significance of the Cross.”

3. At the cross we become related to one another through Jesus Christ.

At the cross Jesus Christ created the church when He gave Mary and John to each other. At the cross He made us His relatives too.

We can all be partners in the death and resurrection of our Lord because God declared his love for sinners and his willingness to give life to all through the cross. Though perhaps frightened and awed by the cruelty Jesus Christ experienced by dying on the cross, by faith we can discover it is the only means for our salvation. Through Jesus’ love for us on the cross, we find the ability to love and forgive others.

Through His cross, our Lord binds us firmly to Himself and our Father. He reconciles us to Himself through the forgiveness of our sins. He grants us new life by His resurrection from the dead. Through that act of reconciliation, Jesus Christ makes it possible for us to transcend everything that mars our relationships with others.

We are strengthened in our ties to one another because we are commanded daily to renew our relationships through love and forgiveness “Forgive us this day our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us” (Luke 11:4).

We can look at every person as family, knowing Christ died for each individual on the cross. Jesus’ dying on the cross gives each person value and dignity.

“When I survey the wondrous cross

on which the prince of glory died

my richest gain I count but loss,

and pour contempt on all my pride.

Forbid it Lord that I should boast

Save in the death of Christ, my God

All the vain things that charm me most,

I sacrifice them to his blood.”

                        –“When I survey the wondrous cross” by Isaac Watts

Though innocent, Jesus Christ was judged and condemned to death as a criminal on the cross by the world. God permitted that judgment to stand for our sakes so He might raise Jesus from the dead and assure us He will do the same for us. One day we will be raised from the dead to live with God eternally. Until then, the cross means a promise of family, forgiveness, and healing power for us.

The End

This article meant a great deal to me as I was writing it. I appreciated more the instrument God used to redeem us. I’d love to hear from you and your thoughts on this article.

Take care,